Hormones and Menstruation

Women have a greater sensitivity to caffeine than men and their bodies may take much longer to detoxify caffeine and recover from its stimulating effects. (Mathias, et al, 1985); (Cherniske, 1998)

This is significant since caffeine directly affects women’s hormonal levels by increasing estrones, or female hormones, while decreasing available testosterone. (Ferrini and Barrett-Connor, 1996)

Premenstrual Syndrome and Caffeine
Up to 40% of women of childbearing age experience some degree of premenstrual syndrome, and up to 10% suffer from severe symptoms.Symptoms of PMS (premenstrual syndrome) occur between ovulation and menstruation and include: breast swelling and tenderness,weight gain, headache, abdominal cramping and bloating, nausea, joint pain, acne, pain, irritability, lethargy, fatigue,depression, anxiety and even hostility and aggression. PMS is not adequately explained by vitamin deficiency or hormone imbalance and most treatments including oral contraceptives, vitamins, diuretics or hormones are ineffective against everything on the list.

Caffeine in coffee elevates the stress hormones cortisol, epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) and norepinephrine. These hormones are responsible for increased heart rate and blood pressure, and a sense of emergency alert. Circulation of oxygen to the brain and extremities is decreased and the immune system is suppressed. (Robertson, et al, 1978); (Lane, et al, 1990); (Lane 1994)

Stress levels account for a significant amount of variation in the symptoms felt throughout a women’s menstrual cycle. (Kerr, et al 1993)

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